Television presenter and former England and Arsenal star Alex Scott believes the Lionesses have a target on their backs ahead of this summer’s European Championships in Switzerland.
Sarina Wiegman’s side won the tournament on home soil in 2022 after defeating eight-time champions Germany at Wembley. Chloe Kelly’s stoppage time winner made history as England won the award for the first time.
12 months later, the Lionesses narrowly missed out on adding a World Cup trophy in their cabinet because they were better than Spain in the final. The current world champions, along with Germany and France, will be among the strongest competitors to win the Euro this year.
England’s form since the 2023 World Cup has suffered as they missed out on qualification for the Olympics last summer in France. Most of their six defeats under the Dutch coach came in the last year and a half of her tenure.
Scott, who represented England 140 times during her playing days, was accepted into the Women’s Super LeagueInducted into the Hall of Fame on Monday alongside former national team teammates Gilly Flaherty and Steph Houghton, as well as recently retired pioneering referee Rebecca Welch.
Past guests include members of that European winning team such as Ellen White. Speaking at an event this week to celebrate the honour, Scott shared her views on England’s trophy hopes and why Hope Powell’s words still ring true.
“I really hope I can retain my title,” insisted Scott. “But Hope Powell has always said that it’s easy to get that England shirt, it’s hard to keep it.
“It’s the same with trophies because you have a target on your back. Everyone wants to be the one to stop England winning that trophy again.
“All Lionesses know that. Going to the Euro, already from the friendly matches, this will not be easy or go there as a favorite. It will be more difficult than before, but the girls already know that and we hope in the games to come [in the Nations League] we will see a different Lions team.”
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